How safe?
Todd Bowles had some very interesting words Sunday morning. And it got Joe to thinking.
Before training camp, Bucs types were whispering that if there could be a player on offense that might rise through the chafe of camp meat players and make an impact with the Bucs, it was former LSU running back Josh Williams.
Then on Saturday night Williams had a nice game. But on Sunday morning in his day-after presser, Bowles went out of his way to praise Williams (and Tez Johnson) for having a really good game.
> “It wasn’t just special teams, he’s a good running back as well,” Bowles said. “We think he can catch. We think he’s a heck of a pass protector.
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> “We know he can run the ball as he showed us on special teams, but he also made some tackles. So, you know, a lot of that goes into the evaluation. He can do multiple things.”
Two things about those comments:
1) Joe was told by an NFL general manager years ago that if you cannot start, you better be able to play special teams or you are an endangered species. So once the Bucs have their starting 22 players, being a special teams ace gives a player a leg up on making the team.
2) Pass protection. That is a way-overlooked element of a run game. If a back can block, he’s going to get time on the field at some point. Coaches don’t like getting quarterbacks blown up because a running back has an ole’ block.
Bowles, citing Williams’ play on special teams and blocking, caught Joe’s attention. This brings Joe to Sean Tucker.
Joe likes Tucker and thinks he’s a good running back. Joe doesn’t expect Rachaad White to remain with the team after this season and Tucker seems like he would be a perfect replacement for White next season.
However, Joe has noticed a few times in training camp practices Tucker badly whiffing on a few blocks that in real football, would have gotten the quarterback leveled. And, honestly, Joe doesn’t know how good of a special teams player Tucker is.
Tucker played in 85 and 178 special teams snaps the past two seasons. That amounts to 30 and 37 percent of the Bucs’ special teams snaps, respectively.
Saturday night in the Backup Bowl, Williams had eight carries, Tucker had three.
Tucker is a solid runner. He has proved to be a steal since he was an undrafted free agent, just like Williams is.
Are the Bucs going to keep four running backs? Is Williams that much of a special teams wizard? Or with Tristan Wirfs out for at least the next handful of games, do the Bucs now have a heightened concern about pass blocking that may see Williams push out Tucker just because he can pass block?